Emmerdale fans seriously confused as beloved character returns to soap just days after exit
EMMERDALE fans have been left seriously confused after a beloved character returned to the soap just days after their exit.
The ITV soap has seen a number of characters come and go in recent weeks.
On Friday, Lydia Dingle told her devastated family she was going to stay with her mum after discovering her friend Kim Tate had been involved in the death of her rapist, Craig Reed.
It meant Lydia wouldn't be there for husband Sam and stepson Samson at Christmas and as she left the village, Emmerdale fans thought it would be a while before they saw her again.
But during Monday's episode, they got a shock when they saw Lydia pop on screen while she video called Sam and Samson.
It left many wondering why she had departed the village in the first place.
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Taking to X - formerly Twitter - one fan wrote: "Hard to understand why Lydia left with the Dingle family like that."
Another added: "Please don't say we are getting daily Lydia phone calls."
A third tweeted: "Why did Lydia leave to “look after her mum” but then in a scene? Normally means the actor or actress is on a break… seems weird."
Meanwhile, viewers were left feeling sad for Eric Pollard as his Parkinson's symptoms worsened.
Eric was decorating the Christmas tree with partner Brenda, grandson Jacob and his mum Leyla.
But the store owner suffered tremors causing him to drop and break ornaments.
Later he sobbed in his car as he struggled to deal with what was happening to him.
He added: "One in a million, I just sat in the car and cried.
"I'm not ready, I'm not ready for this, please don't be cross with me."
Brenda emotionally replied: "Oh Eric, I could strangle you sometimes", as the duo shared a long heart-rending hug.
As the episode came to an end, fans couldn't help but take to social media as they got emotional at the wrenching scenes.
One said: "Eric needs all the support he can get."
Another fan declared: "So happy that Eric and Brenda are being honest with each other. Bless them."
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"Oh Eric, bless him", posted a third.
Emmerdale airs on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.